5 ways in which 21st-century education will be different

Steven Mintz, Executive Director of the University of Texas System’s Institute for Transformational Learning, outlines 5 ways in which 21st-century learning will differ from 20th-century learning. Mintz writes that as PSE moves toward a larger emphasis on learning outcomes, it will also focus on how to help students master the skills and competencies that we seek, and even eliminate traditional grades all together, aiming for “100% proficiency.” Mintz also suggests the new century’s education models will “rest on the science of learning,” using such evidence-based concepts from neuroscience as “cognitive flexibility” and “metacognition” to help educators improve students’ motivation, memory, attention, and “cognitive processing.” Mintz says 21st-century education will be data driven, giving us better insights into how students learn, navigate the learning experience, and interact with the course material. Education will be more personalized, says Mintz, “as instructors embrace adaptive learning, which will customize students’ learning pathways.” It will also be team-based, with content area specialists, educational technologists, and instructional designers included. Finally, Mintz predicts that 21st-century education will take advantage of technology “in ways that truly enhance the learning experience.” Inside Higher Ed